Barrio de las Letras

Madrid

Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras

Once home to some of Spain’s most revered literati, this bohemian quarter today has streets lined with boutiques and theatres, atmospheric bars and restaurants. 

Literature and the performing arts abound on the cobblestone streets of Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras. This is where luminaries of Spanish literature lived, socialized and worked during the Golden Age of the 16th and 17th century. Find reminders and memorials to Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Quevedo, among others, in the Barrio de las Letras. Enjoy the neighborhood’s captivating ambiance while walking along pedestrian-only streets and musing at varied drinking and dining options.

The quarter’s narrow lanes, framed by elegant residences, are perfect to explore on foot. Antique dealers, bookstores, fashion boutiques and luthier workshops offer superb opportunities for window shopping. Pay attention to street names that celebrate literary giants and spot pavement inscriptions from the works of writers such as Miguel Cervantes and José Echegaray.

Calle de las Huertas is the busy heart of the area, where beerhalls, cafés and restaurants spill onto the pavements. Pull up a seat, order a cold beer or glass of wine and snack on delectable tapas and Basque and Mediterranean dishes. More restaurants surround Plaza de Santa Ana, a paved square with statues of dramatist Calderón de la Barca and poet Federico García Lorca.

Glimpse into the life of Lope de Vega at the Casa Museo Lope de Vega, which preserves the original layout and furniture of the writer's former home. Reserve your guided tour in advance to guarantee access.

First built in the 1500s, the Church of San Sebastian is another landmark with literary connections. It was the venue for the baptism of Ramón de la Cruz and the funerals of Cervantes and Lope de Vega.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment at the notable theaters. Teatro Español is one of Europe’s oldest performance venues and has several intimate auditoriums. Watch Broadway musicals and concerts at Teatro Calderón. Ateneo de Madrid is a place for art exhibitions, live music and poetry readings.

Barrio de las Letras sits in the eastern section of Madrid’s Centro neighborhood. It’s served by the Antón Martín, Atocha and Puerta del Sol subway stations.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Barrio de las Letras

Radisson RED Madrid
Radisson RED Madrid
4 out of 5
Atocha 123, Madrid, Madrid
The price is HK$1,135 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
HK$1,135
HK$1,248 total
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (558 reviews)
"Great staff at the reception!"

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Radisson RED Madrid
Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
4 out of 5
Atocha 83, Atocha, Madrid, Madrid
The price is HK$1,958 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
HK$1,958
HK$2,154 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Prado Museum and Puerta del Sol are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (164 reviews)
"Historic, phenomenal check-in experience, beautifully restored – stunning"

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Casa de Las Artes, member of Meliá Collection
Far Home Atocha
Far Home Atocha
2 out of 5
Calle Atocha, 45, Madrid
Fully refundable
The price is HK$443 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
HK$443
HK$488 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostal in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (566 reviews)
"Great place, clean and with good staff and in a busy area"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Far Home Atocha
Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
2 out of 5
Espoz y MIna 17 3ero, Madrid
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$415 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
HK$415
HK$456 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
"La atencion del personal excelente.nuy cordiales.lindo ambiente."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Hostal Alonso No Limit Madrid
Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
5 out of 5
Plaza de las Cortes 10, Madrid, Madrid
The price is HK$1,103 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
HK$1,103
HK$1,213 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"All really excellent"

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Hotel Villa Real, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Barceló Torre de Madrid
Barceló Torre de Madrid
5 out of 5
Plaza de España, 18, Madrid
The price is HK$1,430 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
HK$1,430
HK$1,573 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,893 reviews)
"This hotel is outstanding. The staff is incredible including the front desk and the bartenders!!!"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Barceló Torre de Madrid
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Barrio de las Letras

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Huertas

4.5/5(85 area reviews)

Congress of Deputies and Plaza de Santa Ana are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Huertas. Travellers also love the fantastic nightlife, fascinating museums and popular shops.

Huertas
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Madrid Centro

4.5/5(745 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Madrid Centro. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Gran Via Station to see more of the city.

Madrid Centro
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Sol

If you're spending time in Sol, check out sights like Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.

Sol
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Golden Triangle of Art

Golden Triangle of Art is popular for its fascinating museums. Explore top sights like Prado Museum and Paseo del Prado, and you can get around town on the metro at Estación del Arte.

Golden Triangle of Art
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Lavapiés

Lavapiés is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Teatro Nuevo Apolo and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. See more of Madrid by jumping on the metro at Lavapies Station or Embajadores Station.

Lavapiés
Chueca featuring café lifestyle and a city as well as a large group of people

Chueca

4.5/5(65 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Chueca, you might enjoy attractions like Gran Via and Plaza de Chueca. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Chueca Station to see more of the city.

Chueca

Barrio de las Letras